The Best Utility Knives and Box Cutters for EDC in 2020
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Just because it seems like your EDC knife is versatile enough to use for every task doesn't always mean you should. Things like driving screws or prying in a pinch can seriously wreck your blade. But there's one task in particular you might be doing nearly every day: opening boxes.
For that, it doesn't matter how sharp your everyday carry knife is: it isn't the best tool for the job. All that cardboard and tape can dull your blade and gunk it up fast. Keep your EDC sharp for more crucial situations, and let a box cutter with replaceable blades do the dirty work.
You might think a utility knife would be way too big to carry everyday, but there's actually a handful of convenient, pocket-friendly options worthy of a spot in your daily kit. To make things easy, we've put together this guide to help you choose the best utility knife or box cutter for your next project.
Gerber Prybrid Utility
PurchaseKey Features
Locking retractable blade
Cord cutter notch
Pry bar, bottle opener, screwdrivers built in
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
G10, Stainless
Size
1.25" x 4.25"
As its name suggests, the recently released Gerber Prybrid Utility is a hybrid tool: part pry bar, part box cutter. A push-and-slide button mechanism deploys a standard sized utility blade from one end to two different lengths and locks in place. The other end features a heavy duty wire stripper/nail puller/flathead driver/pry bar, with a bottle opener just below. The G10 handle offers an ergonomic grip and great purchase and traction in hand for better control.
BigIDesign TPT Slide
PurchaseKey Features
Camping fork
Multiple integrated tools
Pocket clip & lanyard
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Titanium alloy
Size
1" x 4"
If you're looking for a utility knife that really puts an emphasis on "utility," look no further than the TPT Slide. Its titanium housing deploys a standard sized blade (or its included finger-safe package opener/camping fork hybrid blade) via an ambidextrous, one-handed slide mechanism. The rest of the tool is jam-packed with EDC features, including a flathead screwdriver, bit driver, scraper edge, and universal wrench set.
Milwaukee Fastback 3 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Extra blade storage
One hand press-and-flip open
Pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Metal
Size
7.25" (Open)
If you want something closer to the size of a standard utility knife, take a look at the Fastback 3. It's made to open up quick via gravity with a flick of the knife. The larger handle lets you tackle major tasks with confidence. When your blade wears out, the Fastback lets you store up to 4 spares in the handle, too.
Gerber EAB Lite Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Folding Design
Liner Lock
Money/Pocket Clip
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless
Size
2.8" (Closed)
Gerber's classic "Exchange-A-Blade" EAB comes in an even more compact and lightweight design as the EAB Lite. It folds closed for a pocket-friendly footprint, complete with an included clip that can double as a moneyclip Once deployed, its standard-sized blade is secured by a liner lock. It's a reliable, affordable lightweight option with a more refined look.
Screwpop Ron's Utility Knife 3.0
PurchaseKey Features
Magnetic
4-step adjustment
Bottle opener
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless
Size
4" (Closed)
With such a minimal, open construction, this is the closest you'll get to carrying around an unguarded razor blade in your pocket. It holds two to four standard utility blades that can slide out and lock when you need them. A built-in magnet cleverly keeps blades from falling out when the lock is disengaged, and makes it easy to stick to metallic work surfaces, or your fridge. It's especially convenient thanks to its bottle opener on one end. On the other end, the large ring in the lock pivot lets you carry the tool on your keychain or lanyard.
WORKPRO Quick Change Folding Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
3 Pack Value
Folding design
Pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless
Size
3" (Closed)
If you're just looking for a simple, no-frills EDC box cutter, it's hard to beat the value of the WORKPRO 3-pack of utility knives. These box cutters accept standard sized blades with a quick change mechanism, fold for compact carrying, and secure via a frame lock for safety. They're even equipped with pocket clips for easy retrieval. At just about $5 per knife in this 3-pack, they make for a compelling backup utility knife option.
Rexford RUT V3
PurchaseKey Features
Bottle/Can Opener
Pry Bar
Bit Driver
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Titanium alloy
Size
3.5" (Closed)
Designed renowned knifemaker Todd Rexford, the RUT features a sliding mechanism for a standard utility blade in its rigid titanium frame. The thoughtful design leverages the design of the blade inserts to ensure a solid lock in use. It also includes a mini pry bar, screwdriver, and bottle opener – all the functions you'd need to save your EDC blade in a pinch. The V3 features a redesigned body to include a bit driver, adding even more utility to this handy tool.
MecArmy EK16 Titanium Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Adjustable blade length
Hex bit driver
Lanyard hole
Specifications
Blade Type
SATA 93434A
Material
Titanium alloy
Size
2.035" (Closed)
The MecArmy EK16's design and choice of materials gives it an overbuilt, rugged, premium feel. The bone shape of the EK16's TC4 titanium handles give a secure grip, while tritium glow slots let you add your own vials for low-light visibility. Its blade slides out to 3 fixed positions with the push of your thumb. Last but not least, a lanyard hole at the heel of the knife doubles as a hex bit driver to round out its overall utility.
RovyVon Valor V10 Titanium Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Integrated carabiner
Bottle opener
Bit driver
Specifications
Blade Type
SATA 93434A
Material
Titanium alloy
Size
4"
Reviews
No reviews yet
The Valor V10 features a nicely curated set of functions beyond its blade in its titanium frame, including a bottle opener, flathead driver, and bit driver. The built-in carabiner makes it easy to clip to your bag, belt loop, or keychain as well. It uses the holes found in SATA 93434A utility blades for its screw-down, sliding lock mechanism. By unscrewing the mechanism and sliding the blade, you can dial in your desired blade length.
Gerber Prybrid X Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Sliding precision blade
Pry bar, cap lifter, & more
Includes 550 paracord
Specifications
Blade Type
No. 11 Hobby
Material
Aluminum
Size
4" (Closed)
Reviews
No reviews yet
Gerber's new Prybrid X utility knife offers the precision of a hobby knife in a durable, lightweight, multi-functional tool. You can push and slide the No. 11 hobby blade out with your thumb for quick precision cutting tasks. On the other end is a sturdy pry tool, flathead screwdrivers, bottle opener, nail puller, and wire stripper. Its aluminum frame cuts down on weight, while the 550 paracord wrap makes for a more comfortable grip.
NAITHAWK T0 Titanium Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Keychain-sized
Lanyard hole
Tritium slot
Specifications
Blade Type
OLFA KB4-S5
Material
Titanium alloy
Size
2.3"
The NAITHAWK T0 Titanium Utility Knife brings the precision of an X-Acto style craft knife to your keychain in a sleek titanium chassis. A large textured button helps deploy the blade with the push of your thumb. It locks at three stages, letting you fine-tune the desired blade length. It uses OLFA KB4-S5 hobby blades, making it a great EDC option for minimalists who need a precision blade with none of the extra bells and whistles.
Nitecore NTK10 Titanium Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
One-hand slide deployment
Emergency glass breaker
Pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Size
OLFA CKB-2
Material
Titanium alloy
4.5" x 1.1"
Reviews
No reviews yet
If you want a premium box cutter that uses craft utility blades, check out the feature-packed Nitecore NTK10. Its precision-machined titanium alloy body houses a replaceable OLFA CKB-2 craft blade. A smooth deployment mechanism allows for fine adjustments to blade length, complete with the added security of locking in place. Other features are built into the titanium housing's design, offering a bottle opener at the tip, emergency glass breaker on the pommel, as well as a removable pocket clip for easy EDC.
Olfa 34B Craft Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Slim design
Sliding locking 30º blade
Lanyard hole
Specifications
Blade Type
OLFA XB34
Material
Metal
Size
4.6" (Closed)
If you want to carry a compact craft knife with a longer, more usable blade, the 34B is the tool for you. It offers 2.2” of usable cutting edge without much handle bulk. The blade deploys with a brass thumb wheel that you can swap on either side of the knife. A small hole at the end of the handle works great as an attachment point for a paracord lanyard to make up for its lack of a pocket clip.
Do you use a utility knife as a box opener or backup blade in your EDC? Share your favorite tool for the job in the comments below.
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